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Welcome to Science New Zealand. It represents the seven Crown Research Institutes: the power of 3,600 people advancing ideas and delivering results for New Zealand through excellent science and technology.

Last year, government, business, sectors and communities invested $636 million with the Crown Research Institutes.

From environment to trade, agriculture to manufacturing, in niche technologies and with leading edge science, the Crown Research Institutes identify, respond to and solve science-based challenges affecting our lives today and tomorrow.

Throughout New Zealand and across the globe, their ideas, insights and connections are shaping new thinking and practical action.

Discover their stories, the results and the possibilities. The snippets click to external sites. We try to keep links current for 90 days.

ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery

Science Value

By working together New Zealand and Chinese scientists have enriched both countries' economies through advancements ranging from plant genetics, food security and safety, to stronger and better environmental practices

3 University students spending their summer working in laboratories and rubbing shoulders with scientists in Palmerston North are part of 28 sponsored students working for Plant & Food Research this summer

Scion’s Rural Fire Research Team has been running hot this past year with the fire research programme again receiving Gold status in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) annual reporting round, one of only 18 awards over 250 contracts.

The 2014 Briefing to Incoming Ministers by Science New Zealand provides an overview of the role and purpose of CRIs within the New Zealand science and innovation eco-system. CRIs are two-thirds of the nation's publically-funded science researchers (excluding health and ICT areas); and where businesses choose to spend $3 of every $4 on RS&T they commission externally. There has been significant progress since the 2010 CRI Taskforce. The BIM proposes key issues for Ministerial leadership, as CRIs focus on advancing ideas and delivering results that benefit New Zealand

New Thinking

A unique collaborative effort is getting under way between Scion in New Zealand and VITO in Belgium to accelerate the development of functional bio-aromatic chemicals from lignin. This is part of a joint strategy by both organisations to accelerate innovation through adaption and co-invention of technology and by assembling world-leading teams.

Government’s freshwater reforms aim to balance economic growth with sustainability, and herald a change to the way freshwater is managed. Communities are now responsible for setting the standards for freshwater management within their region, creating the opportunity for forestry growers to be actively involved in the process.

Drs Alex Hennebry, Wajid Waheed and Juan Rodriquez Gamir are currently undertaking post-doctoral research at Scion. For both Wajid and Juan, this has meant having to make huge changes in their lives, and relocating to New Zealand.

Without standards our lives would be chaotic. Developing and revising standards is a continual process at Scion as new technologies and products become available, with many of our scientists actively engaged in national and international standards committees for such things as wood preservatives, biodegradability, packaging, freshwater and biosecurity measures.